Plastic storm window assembly or the like



, March 20, 1962 'E. E." BURTON 3,025,906

PLASTIC STORM WINDOW ASSEMBLY 0R THE-LIKE INVENTOR. ELWIN BURTON Eryn! BY v.

, ATTORNEYS 4 ite States Free 3,025,906 PLASTIC STORM WINDOW ASSEMBLY OR THE LIKE Elwin E. Burton, Portland, Oreg., assignor to Charles W. Montgomery, Portland, Oreg. Filed Sept. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 56,959 4 Claims. (Cl. 160-329) This invention relates to a plastic storm window assembly, and has as its primary object the provision of an improved storm window or screen assembly comprised of a flexible panel, and means for anchoring the panel in position interiorly of a window sash in suchmanner as positively to engage the same in fixed spring tension position.

\An additional object of the invention is the provision of an assembly of this character wherein the assembly is sealed tightly to the bottom of the window frame and extends transversely into immediate contact with the sides of the frame, but wherein an air space is provided adjacent the window sill to allow a small amount of air to circulate between the glass window and a plastic storm window to prevent condensation.

A very important object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be installed or removed with a minimum of effort and difficulty.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a storm window or a screen assembly which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and install.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of a standard window frame with the storm window of the instant invention shown in position therein.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the construction of FIG. 1 showing the assembly in position; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a constructional detail.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, a pre-cut piece of plastic sheeting or screen material has its upper edge sandwiched between two metal strips 11 which compose an upper metal sheeting retainer 11A, the sheeting being securely retained between strips which are held together by rivets 11B, or the like. Each end of upper metal retainer 11A has a large notch 11C cut into it leaving an upper leg 12 and a lower leg 13, upper leg 12 being shorter than lower leg 13 for a purpose to be described later. Lower leg 13 is cut to fit snugly between the two side jambs 14 of the window frame 14A and is used to hold the sheeting or screen in contact with the side jambs 14 to provide for a tight fit.

Directly behind the upper metal sheeting retainer 11A is an L-shaped member 15 running the entire width of the window, against which the upper metal sheeting retainer 11A slides up and down to provide a positive contact to prevent any open spacing between the upper metal sheeting retainer and the upper portion of the window frame. At each of the two upper corners of the window sash is located a securing bracket 16 having a cutaway side wall 163 with a spring 17 suitably secured therein, as best shown in FIG. 3, which bracket is used to hold and retain the metal sheeting retainer 11 by engaging the leg 12 as will be explained later. Bracket 16 is secured to each side jamb 14 by suitable screws,

or the like, which extend through the holes 16A, as shown in FIG. 3.

On the bottom of pre-cu-t sheeting 10 is a lower metal sheeting retainer 18 composed of two metal strips 18A, held together by rivets 18B, or the like, which engage on opposite sides of the bottom edge of sheeting material 10 and runs the entire width of said sheeting from one side jamb 14 to the other, forming a positive contact. Retainer 18 differs from upper metal sheeting retainer 11A only in that the lower metal sheeting retainer 18 does not have notches cut into its ends. However, near each of the ends of retainer 18 are holes or bores 19 to receive retaining'prcjections 20, the purpose of which is to hold down the bottom edge of the sheeting material 10. Retaining projections 20 form an integral part of upstanding flanges 21Av formed on large substantially C-shaped metal spring clips 21 which clip or fasten onto the window sill '22 and held securely in place by spring tension. Clips 21 hold the retaining projections 20 in position to engage metal sheeting retainer 18 to hold down sheeting 10. Located under projection receiving holes 19 are suitable appendages 23 for the purpose of allowing the installer to grasp and use them to pull the storm window sheeting downward and allow projection holes 19 to receive projections 20.

From the foregoing the operation of the device should now be readily understandable. Plastic sheeting material 10 is pre-cut to the appropriate size and the respective metal sheeting retainers 11A and 18 are attached to the top and bottom of the sheeting, as above described. The unit is held in position, as shown in full line in FIG. 1, and then pushed toward the window sash 14B, as shown by the arrow. Each leg 12 is then inserted in the cut down side member 16B of the adjacent securing bracket 16 to rest on the springs 17 located within said brackets. At this time the upper metal sheeting retaining strip 11A is then flush against the L-shaped member 15 and no space -is allowed. When the upper retaining strip 11A is in place within the securing brackets 16 and resting upon the springs 17 the appendages 23 are grasped and the bottom retaining strip 18 is pulled downward until the projections 20 are fitted within the holes 19. At this point the installation is completed and the storm Windows are held in a tightly stretched position by the tension and action of the springs 17 as shown in FIG. 2. As previously stated, the L-shaped member 15 prevent any spacing at the top of the window, and the top and bottom retainer strips 11A and 18 hold the sheeting 10 snugly against the side window jambs 14. A small amount of air is allowed to circulate between the glass window and the storm window to avoid condensation and the like, because the bottom retaining strip 18 does not complete touch the window sill 22, this contact being prevented by the fact that the bottom retaining strip 18 rests upon the brackets or clips 21 which hold or support the projections 20. This space is relatively small but the plastic sheet 10, if desired, may be allowed to extend slightly from the retainer strip 18, as illustrated in FIG. 1 at 10A.

Referring back to the upper retaining strip 11A, upper leg 12 is cut shorter than leg 13 to clear the back wall 24 of mounting bracket 16 when the upper retaining strip 11A is placed within said brackets.

While the device has herein been described as a storm window construction basically, it is to be understood that the flexible plastic panel may have a screen or the like substituted therefor, if desired, without departing from the spirit of the instant invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved window screen or storm window assembly which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In combination with a Window frame including a top panel, side jambs and a lower sill, a flexible panel dimensioned to [fit snugly between said side jambs, an elongated top retaining member comprising a pair of plates secured on opposite sides of the top of said panel, a notch cut in one plate of each said top retaining member to form a pair of horizontal legs, a bracket in each upper corner of said window frame, each bracket having a cutaway side wall into which the uppermost leg formed by the adjacent notch in the upper retaining member extends, a spring in each bracket engaging said uppermost leg and biasing the same toward said top panel,

a lower retaining member comprising a pair of elongated plates secured to opposite sides on the lower edge of said flexible panel, each said lower retaining member having an opening therein, and projections secured to said lower sil l engaging in said openings to hold said panel in stretched relation in said window frame.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein substantially C- shaped spring clips engage over said lower sill, an upstanding flange is carried by each clip, and said projections extend transversely from said flanges.

3. The structure of claim 2. where-in said flexible panel comprises a sheet of flexible plastic.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein said flexible panel comprises a sheet of window screen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,898,989 Peterson Aug. 1], 1959 

